Accuracy

Also: Precision

Accuracy is the quality of being precise, true, and exact. Without accuracy, even good intentions can cause harm. As humans, our perceptions are prone to being distorted by self serving biases and a pervasive tendency to ignore contradictory information. Thus, the scientific method has been called, "What we know about how not to fool ourselves." In our interactions with others, it is tempting to overstate what we wish to be true, or to understate what we wish was not so.

We come close to accuracy only by humble truth seeking--by learning to be skeptical of our own cherished notions. Accuracy requires constant awareness and effort to speak with precision.